White House spokesman Jay Carney said the FAA has no choice under the automatic budget cuts brought about by congressional Republican budget priorities. Carney said the GOP can eliminate the sequester by approving a debt reduction plan that includes taxes from the wealthy through the closing of loopholes.

"Republicans in Congress could decide that the victory party is over and it's time to get serious about the economy, get serious about the effects of the sequester on Americans across the country in a variety of ways," Carney said.

Look for the political battle over flight delays to heat up as the lines lengthen and the days roll by.